Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of vomit seed (Strychnos nux-vomica) homeopathic treatment in acute acetaminophen-induced toxicity

Ikram Toumi^1,2 , Ifriqya Medila^1,2, Seghir Karoui²

¹Biology, Environment and Health Laboratory, Life and Natural Sciences Faculty, University of El Oued, El Oued, Algeria; ²Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Life and Natural Sciences Faculty, University of El Oued, El Oued, Algeria.

For correspondence:- Ikram Toumi Email: toumi-ikram@univ-eloued.dz

Accepted: 4 May 2023 Published: 30 May 2023

Citation: Toumi I, Medila I, Karoui S. Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of vomit seed (Strychnos nux-vomica) homeopathic treatment in acute acetaminophen-induced toxicity. Trop J Pharm Res 2023; 22(5):1023-1029 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v22i5.13

© 2023 The authors.
This is an Open Access article that uses a funding model which does not charge readers or their institutions for access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) and the Budapest Open Access Initiative (http://www.budapestopenaccessinitiative.org/read), which permit unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited..

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of vomit seed homeopathic drugs (14CH and 30CH) on paracetamol-induced toxicity in rats.

Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 animals each (n = 8) and treated for 12 days. During the treatment period, group (G) one (G1) which constitutes the control group received filtered water, whereas groups two (G2), three (G3), and four (G4) were gavaged with a toxic dose of paracetamol 1/4 of LD₅₀. Next, Strychnos nux-vomica (0.5 mg/kg) homeopathic dilutions of 14CH and 30CH were administered to G3 and G4, respectively. Hematological, biochemical, and antioxidant markers were assessed.

Results: Homeopathic drug groups, namely G3 and G4, showed significant recovery in some hematological (red blood cells count and hemoglobin concentration; p < 0.01) and biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, glutamic transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase; p < 0.001). The level of malondialdehyde significantly decreased while glutathione level significantly increased in treated rats.

Conclusion: The antioxidant and anti-hemolytic properties of vomit seeds protect against paracetamol-induced acute toxicity in rats by reducing oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity in rats

Keywords: Homeopathic, Strychnos nux-vomica, Oxidative stress, Paracetamol-induced toxicity